Navjot Singh Sidhu may soon have his wings clipped

Saturday, 25/05/2019

https://www.brightpunjabexpress.com/index.php/2019/05/24/navjot-singh-sidhu-may-soon-have-his-wings-clipped/

Chandigarh : There are enough indications that Punjab’s ebullient Minister for Local Bodies, Navjot Singh Sidhu is about to have his wings clipped. The cricketer-turned-politician, Sidhu was star campaigner for the Congress party and in that role, he addressed countless election rallies all over the country trying to garner votes for the party. In the process, he injured his vocal chords and lost his voice for a while, prompting doctors to advise him to take rest. But all the love’s labour has been lost. Despite his vigorous campaigning, the Congress party has been unable to show matching results on the ground. In Punjab, Sidhu has been enjoying an uneasy relationship with the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh. Amarinder was opposed to Sidhu’s entry into the Congress from the BJP but the Congress High Command prevailed upon him to allow it. Sidhu was apparently promised a cushy job in the party and a seat in the cabinet in case the party won the election. He was also apparently promised a Lok Sabha ticket for his wife. This promise could not be fulfilled in 2017 Punjab assembly elections when several leaders pointed to the unwritten one family, one ticket rule. Sidhu, however, was given a cabinet berth with the important portfolio of Local Bodies after Congress won the election in the state. He frequently tried to dominate the government and the party by speaking out of turn, sometimes obliquely criticising his own government but soon found out that this would not succeed. His frustration grew when his wife, Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu was denied ticket to contest the LS poll. The Sidhu couple was interested in the party ticket from Chandigarh which eventually went to the former union minister, Pawan Kumar Bansal. He blamed Capt Amarinder Singh and party’s Punjab in charge Asha Kumari for denial of ticket. This was denied by both but Sidhu allowed his sentiments to get the better of himself when he alleged a “friendly match” between the families of the Chief Minister and Badals . He made these remarks at poll rallies at Bathinda held towards the end of a tumultuous election campaign. These remarks have been condemned by a host of party stalwarts. There have been calls from his ouster from the cabinet. Even his ministerial colleague Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who has been generally supportive of Sidhu has made it clear that he does not subscribe to his views on this subject. The Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has himself expressed concern over the remarks, observning that perhaps Sidhu want to replace him as the Chief Minister. Capt Amarinder has stated he will take up the Sidhu issue with the party high command at the earlier opportunity. There is also speculation about his portfolio being changed because CM feels that urban voters are not impressed by his performance as reflected in the low poll percentage for Congress in the elections in the towns and cities of Punjab. Sidhu has been secure in the belief that since he enjoys the blessings of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, he can get away with anything. But with party high command itself facing a serious crisis in the wake of the party debacle in the parliament election, it is unlikely they will have time or inclination to defend him now.